Future Africa Blog

Climate Change Focus Required

Climate change is these days on the top of every politicians mind, however very slow progress has been made in the negotiations of a Global agreement, also a lack of consensus about the shape of the eventual agreement is not helping in creating a plan for sustainable development. A UN climate change conference is taking place in Copenhagen in December for discussion of this important subject. It is however very unlikely Global treaty can be finalized at this UN climate change conference.

The climate change topic has been discussed for many years, however very limited progress has been made so far, the problem is certainly man made however no government or major organizations have taken a serious focused approach in dealing with the ever increasing Global problem.

One of the major shortcomings in any of the political propaganda is the failure to achieve consumer confidence in the claims made by private companies and local governments Most consumers want to take action on climate change however they need the confidence that all the claims made, should be proved by independent scientists and environmental groups.

Billions of US $ has been and will be spent on propaganda of baskets of many different and diverse initiatives all supposed to help facilitate a slowdown of the climate change, so far without success. FutureAfrica’s passion for the African region and developing Third World countries as a whole suggest that we first and foremost deal with our own daily wrong doings. We are by no means experts in climate change but common sense tells us that if local government, companies and consumers and major organizations such as G8, UN, IFC and the World Bank focus their efforts on three Global initiatives, it will be possible to turn the negative trend into a positive sustainable development. It is clearly critical that local governments around the world sets the example through honest, transparent communication of plans and objectives and periodical reporting of progress made (Including China and Nigeria), once people can see that the governments are walking the talk, people will have a lot more confidence in what they say and themselves take the necessary steps to support the few but critical initiatives.

The issues that need dealing with are by no means new, however the three key areas that in our opinion needs urgent attention are:

1. The problem and the solution of the destruction of the rain forest.

2. Investment in infrastructure (electricity, railways, roads, harbors etc.) across Africa and other Third World countries, and an immediate stop for using in particular Africa as a dumping ground for Western obsolete and worn out cars and a host of electronic damaged products this issue adds significant contribution to pollution.

3. Set up a major funding, supporting a team of the best scientists in the world for identifying alternative sources of energy for private, commercial and public transportation. The automobile industry has not the will of the financial ability to do what it takes, the Electricity car is not a commercially viable solution.

It is time to act and we see no better way than having the major organizations like the G8, UN, the World Bank, and IFC etc, come together on developing a single plan with the necessary funding supporting an immediate action plan, dealing with the three major issues above. As part of this plan freeze the current methodology for aid given to African countries, it is not providing the required return, in fact it further fuels corruption and wrong values without any major improvement in quality of life for the masses particular in African countries. Use the funding for things that matters and most certainly will create a win win solution with major impact on job creation, innovation and private investment all of which will benefit people’s quality of life, climate change and also address the Millennium poverty targets.

The Vision of FutureAfrica is to share our knowledge and experience to help African organizations build capability at all levels. This will include strategic planning, organizational transformation, business model re-design, coaching for development of leaders; staff capability building, change and process management, supported by “best of breed” functional expertise and best practice project management methodologies. A winning formula for African businesses.

Lars Stork

Managing Director

FutureAfrica